Grays Court Hotel, Chapter House Street, York, YO1 7JH
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Take a pre-dinner drink in the amazing garden to enjoy the full experience” if you visit this grand five-star hotel, which has a “superb location” in one of the city’s oldest and finest houses, near the minster. It also wins praise for its “very friendly” staff, and high ratings for chef Ian Doyle’s accomplished cuisine. There is a relatively affordable à la carte option, with main dishes such as saddle of lamb or pan-roasted fish for £30-£40; or a more ambitious eight-course tasting menu for £130 per person.
Summary
“Exceptional creativity from head chef Ian Doyle from Waterford” delivered “overall the best dinner this year” for one reporter in our annual diners’ poll at this accomplished address, which inhabits one of the oldest houses in the city, near the Minster. Although another diner didn’t think it was “quite worth the astronomical prices”, they nevertheless praised its “fabulous location and mostly excellent food”, awarding the cuisine full marks! In the evening the main event is an eight-course tasting menu for £125 per person although there is also a (slightly) less expensive à la carte option.
Summary
In summer 2023, Ian Doyle (an alum’ of the legendary Noma, who gained a star at previous haunt the Cliff House Hotel, in Waterford, Ireland) stepped in to fill the shoes of Adam Jackson, who has now moved to the Rattle Owl in Micklegate. Early reports suggest that his tasting menu is “just fabulous” (“exceeded our expectations”) and “what a wonderful setting” the restaurant has in this “amazing ancient property” – York’s oldest inhabited house – situated near York Minster. Top Tips – “make sure to have a stroll around the garden before enjoying the top-notch cuisine” and “also book a room so you don’t have to rush home”.
Summary
“Quietly top class” – York’s oldest inhabited house (and boasting a medieval walled garden) is the backdrop to a meal at this small hotel, some of whose rooms have unmatched views of York Minster. The dining room (holder of hard-to-win three AA rosettes) serves a multi course tasting menu with an optional wine pairing “a very pleasant experience with some great flavours”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Bow Room Restaurant?
Owner's description
The Bow Room serves an exquisite tasting menu which can be paired with an optional wine flight. Head Chef Ian Doyle and his team are committed to using ingredients from our own kitchen garden alongside local suppliers to create a memorable and exciting dining experience.
This is a leisurely dining experience of 2-2.5 hours so please bear this in mind when making travel plans.
Dinner Served Tuesday to Saturday 7.00pm
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.50 |
 Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Head Chef Ian Doyle gained his first Michelin Star at the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford in 2021, he retained his star in 2022 before moving to the UK later that year.
Ian previously worked in Stockholm as Head Chef at the Michelin Star restaurant Oaxen Krog, and prior to that in Copenhagen's legendary Noma restaurant.
Grays Court Hotel, Chapter House Street, York, YO1 7JH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 pm‑11:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
